Tag: Organised crime

Mexico drug cartels charging churches ‘taxes’ now ‘very common’

March 17, 2017 Mexico Coahuila, Latin America, Organised crime, USA

Mexico is infamous for its high crime rates. (Photo: Otay Detention Centre in California, next to Mexican border / BBC World Service / CC)

A Mexican church leader has provided fresh insight into the ways in which Christians in Latin America come under pressure in areas controlled by drug cartels. The pastor, who wished to remain anonymous, told World Watch Monitor about the “tax” churches can be charged to be allowed to remain open. . . . Read More

Expelled Mexican Christians forced to live in wine cellar

January 17, 2017 Mexico Coahuila, Colotlán, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Latin America, Organised crime, Tuxpan de Bolaños

Following their eviction on 26 January 2016, the seven families have been surviving in various temporary shelters provided for them by the state government.World Watch Monitor A year after seven Christian families were forced from their homes in a village in the western Mexican state of Jalisco, the 30 . . . Read More

Three priests killed, another tortured in Mexico

November 15, 2016 Mexico Catholics, Guerrero, Kidnapping, Mexico, Michoacán, Organised crime, State of Mexico, Torture, Veracruz

Three Roman Catholic priests have been murdered and another tortured in Mexico since September, reports the Associated Press. Rev. Jose Luis Sanchez Ruiz was found alive three days after his abduction in Catemaco town, Veracruz state, with ‘visible signs of torture’ according to a Roman Catholic Church statement. His kidnap . . . Read More

Analysis: Latin American Christians need protection from organized crime

September 24, 2015 Colombia, Corruption, El Salvador, FARC, Juan Manuel Santos, Latin America, Los Zetas, Mexico, Michoacán, Organised crime

For three days last month, El Salvador was the deadliest country in the world. The 125 people killed in gang-related violence from 16-18 Aug. could not be matched even by the horrors in Syria and Iraq. Violence related to organized crime is perhaps the most significant threat to Latin America’s . . . Read More

Nuns beaten in fresh attacks on Mexico’s Catholics

July 8, 2015 Mexico Catholics, Corruption, Mexico, Organised crime, Tehuantepec

A violent attack on three nuns, who were tied up, gagged and assaulted, has led to renewed criticism that Mexican authorities aren’t taking crimes against Catholics seriously, reports CSW. Nine months earlier there was a similarly brutal attack on a parish priest in the same village. In a statement issued . . . Read More

Colombian priest dies after mugging

March 25, 2015 Colombia Colombia, Latin America, Organised crime, Sincelejo

A Colombian priest has died of his injuries after being shot during a mugging on March 21 in the northern city of Sincelejo. The funeral for Fernando Meza Luna, who led the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima church, was held yesterday (March 24) in the city’s cathedral. “I am . . . Read More

Organised crime is making life worse for Latin America Christians

February 8, 2015 Bolivia, Central America, Colombia, Cuba, El Salvador, ELN, Evo Morales, FARC, Guatemala, Honduras, Latin America, Mexico, Nicaragua, Organised crime, Pentecostals, Venezuela

About one-quarter of the world’s Christians live in Latin America and, apart from in Colombia, most have enjoyed wide freedom to live out their faith. Christian life in Latin America is getting a bit more difficult, however, according to Open Doors International, creator of the World Watch List. The annual . . . Read More

2014 deadliest year for Mexican Catholic leaders

February 2, 2015 Mexico Catholics, Mexico, Organised crime

has published a new report on religious freedom violations in Mexico revealing that “more Roman Catholic priests and lay leaders were killed in Mexico in 2014 than in any other country in the world.” According to the report, leaders from other Christian denominations face similar threats from criminal groups, but . . . Read More

Mexican Priest’s body found on Christmas Day

December 30, 2014 Mexico Christmas, Guerrero, Kidnapping, Mexico, Organised crime

CNN reports that the body of Rev. Gregorio Lopez was found shot dead on Christmas Day after being kidnapped in Mexico’s south-western drug cartel state Guerrero. The motive for the killing remains unclear, but he is the third priest to be killed in the state this year. “A friend of . . . Read More

Book review: ‘The Global War on Christians’

November 19, 2013 Global News -- No Particular Country Africa, Asia, Buddhist nationalism, Burundi, Colombia, Eastern Europe, Eritrea, Hindu nationalism, Islamic extremism, Kenya, Latin America, Middle East, Organised crime, Philippines

It has been an astonishing last 12 months for books on the persecution of Christians when there has been such silence on the issue for so long. First came ‘Christianophobia: A Faith Under Attack’ in late 2012; then the more simply titled, ‘Persecuted: the Global Assault on Christians’ in March . . . Read More

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